Washing machine



Oct. 1 1 1927,

1,644,959 H. F. SNYDER WASHING MAGHINE Filed June 16. 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 MNHWW.

Oct. 11 1927.

H. F. SNYDER WASHING MACHINE Filed June 16, 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 H. F. SNYDER WASHING MACHINE Filed June l6, 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 I J/o ward f z yd i' @MQL Oct. 11,1927.

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H. F. SNYDER WASHING MACHINE:

Filed June 16. 1921 5'SheetsSheet 5 III,

lhuefiian flwarciz @zwaaaiw Patented Oct. 11, 1927.

ATENT OFFICE.

HOWARD F. SNYDER, OF NEWTON, IOWA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO TIE-IE MAYTAG COMPANY, OF NEXVTON, IOWA, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

WASHING MACHINE.

Application fi1ed June 16, liLzHegil No. 477,888.

This invention relates to washing machines, and includes among other improvements such construction that either before or after a period of use a need for increased capacity can be met by merely securing an auxiliary washing machine, substantially similar in construction to the first machine (except to omit the motor and wringer), to be connected to the first machine for operation from the motor thereof, to enable both machines to work together as a unit.

Among the further objects of my inven tion is to provide for the attachment of an auxiliary washing machine to one already in use, in a quick, simple and efiicient manner, both machines to be driven from the motor of the first machine by a simple and quickly effected connection, and both served from a single swinging wringer; further to provide novel means for connecting together such plurality of machines; further to generally improve washing machine construction; further-to so construct the top portion of the tub or tubs that spilled water will run back into the tub instead of on the floor; further to form the body portion of the/tub of metal, preferably aluminum, and sloped toward the center to permit the easy attachment of a hose, or the like, to effect ready draining of the tub without tilting the same; further to provide washing machine tubs constructed with one or more fiat sides at the upper portion; to so arrange the dolly driving mechanism in the top of the tub as to render the top thereof substantially unobstructed and practically flat; further to provide an improved washing machine tub formed of alumlnum, whlch Wlll not become tub; further to provide improved means for automatically throwing the washer out of gear when the lid is raised, and into gear when the lid is closed; further to provide a washing machine extremely easy to operate, and having the main working parts enclosed in oil tight cases, and to eliminate danger of accidents; further to provide a washing machine especially adapted for use with a swinging wringer, and a swinging wringer therefor; further to provide a washing machine constructed substantially entirely ofmetal, and one that can be easily cleaned, always sanitary, and light in weight; further to so combine a washing machine and swinging wringer that the latter can be removed by merely lifting it from the frame; further to produce a washing machine of maximum simplicity, efliciency and economy; and such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear.

My invention further resides in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and While a preferred embodiment is shown therein, I desire the same to be understood as illustrative only, and not as limiting the scope of my invention.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a clothes washing apparatus embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, but omitting the gear casing cap from the left hand machine, and with the wringer removed.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 33 of Fig. 2, but showing the wringer in position, the main parts of the wringer being shown in elevation.

Fig. 4: is a vertical longitudinal section on a central vertical plane, taken through both tubs of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section through one of the tubs on a plane at right angles to that of'Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the top of one of the tubs, with the cover and associated parts removed.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional detail,

showing the manner of connection between the two tubs.

Fig. 8 is a detailed plan view of the op-- erating parts beneath the tub.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 3 shows the main or primary washing machine of my invention, in which the tub I is mounted upon the legs 2, having adjustable extensions 3 at their lowervends. Secured to and em tending between the legsis platform 4 car rying any suitable form of motor 5, whichv is connected by belt 6 (or other suitable power transmitting means) to drive wheel or pulley 7 carried by shaft 8, which shaft as seen in Fig. 8 has fixed to rotate therewith worm pinion 9, meshing with gear 10, mounted upon the lower end of vertical 7 shaft 11. Fixed to the upper end of shaft 11 is crank arm 12, to which is pivotally connected the connecting rod 13, which at its opposite end is pivotally connected to a second crank arm 14, mounted at the lower end of vertical shaft 15, which as shown in Fig. 3 is journalled in suitable brackets 16 and 17. Fixed to the upper end of shaft (see Figs. 2 and 5) is segmental rack 18, meshing with horizontal gear 19, which in turn has driving engagement with pinion 20, fixed to the upper end of dolly shaft 21, which shaft extends downwardly into the tub and carries the agitating or dolly mem ber 22. As seen in Figs. 2 and 5, the segmental rack 18, gear 19 and pinion 20, are seated within depressions or casings, by reason of which the top of the tub is substantially flat and free of projections. Surrounding depression 23, within which segmental rack 18 is seated, is an upstanding rib 24, and covering this depression is a cover plate 25, formed with ears 26, to which is hinged the cover 27 of the tub, the cover having any suitable securing means 28, for locking same in closed position. It will also be seen in Fig. 5 that the cover 27 is formed with an elongated depression 28, receiving gear 19 and pinion 20, and which depression is covered by plate 29, suitably secured by bolts, or the like, to cover 27. This arrange ment is such that the dolly driving means at the top of the tub are mounted in the oil tight casings in a substanially flat manner. Formed in cover plate 29, is an angular and slightly upstanding portion 30, which contacts with cap 31, to support the cover in open position.

Extending upwardly in vertical alignment with shaft 11 (see Fig. 3) is shaft 32, having a clutch connection 33, at its upper end to receive sleeve 34 of shaft 35, which through the medium of bevelled gears 36, 37 and 38, drives the rolls of wringer 40. Longitudinally slidable on shaft 35, between gears 36 and 37 is clutch member 39, provided at its opposite ends with clutch surfaces, to respectively engage cooperating clutch surfaces on the inner faces of bevel gears 36 and 37, whereby when clutch 39 is moved longitudinally of shaft 35, to which it is splined (which movement is elfected by the handle 41), the wringer rolls, as will be readily understood, may be rotated in one direction, or the other. Downwardly extending from gear casing 42 of the wringer is the tubular portion 43, rotatable on column 44, surrounding shaft 32, by virtue of which the wringerymay readily be swung into any desired horizontal position and secured in such position by entry of rod 45 into the appropriate notch 46 of outwardly extending collar 47, secured to column 44,

and upon which collar is seated the lower end of sleeve 43. As'will be readily noted,

this construction is such as to enable the which the wringer will be swung in two of its positions are downwardly and inwardly inclined to return any water coming in contact therewith from the wringer into the tub. The greater part of the remaining sides.

bounding the opening in the tub top are flat, as shown at 50 and 51, and the entire top of the tub is substantially surrounded by .an upstanding flange 52, to assist in returning any spilled water back into the tub, and prevent the same from going on to the floor. It is also to be noted that the inner edge of the botttom of depression 23 is downwardly and inwardly inclined, as shown at 54, in Figs. 5 and 6, which construction further assists in returning spilled water into the tub. The under face of the marginal portion of the tub lid 27 is formed with the depending flange 55, which as seen in Fig. 5 fits inside of upstanding rib or flange 52 to effect a substantially water tight joint.

As seen in Fig. 5, the body portion of the tub is sloped inwardly and downwardly as shown at 56 and 57, and is provided at its central and lowermost portion with an opening 58, to which is suitably and in a water tight manner connected the outlet. member 59, to which member in turn is secured a drain hose, or the like, 60, which when not in draining position is at its free end placed between the projecting fingers 61 at the to of the tub to be held therein while the tu is in operation, which as will be noted positions the outlet end of the drain hose above the water level, and prevents the passage of any water through the drain hose. This construction, if desired, may take the place of a valve, thus rendering the drain hose always ready for use by simply detaching it from supporting fingers 61, and the end of the hose moved to a sewer, grating, bucket, or the like. As seen in Fig. 5, the top portion t of the tub is secured by rivets, bolts, or the like, 62, to the bottom portion of the tub. From Fig. 2, it will be noted that the drain hose supporting fingers 61 are formed as part of cover plate 25, and extend a slight distance beyond the side of the tub. It will be understood that the end of drain hose 60,

will be provided with suitable extensions 63 and 64, to insure thatthe end of the hose will be retained in position in fingers 61, until its removal is desired.

The upper portion of the sides of tub 1 are substantially straight, and the side viewed in Fig. 3 is of special formation to Til afford secure contact therewith of an adjacent tub to be secured to the first tub. This is effected by providing this side of the top portion with upstanding and narrower portions 65, and the lower or main portion of the tub body with outstanding ribs 66, whose faces are in the same plane with the faces of portion 65. A similar construction is found in the auxiliary .tub or extension to be attached to thefirst described tub, which connection is effected by the bolts, or the like, 67, extending through ribs 66. By this ar; rangement the tub of the auxiliary machine may be quickly and securely fastened along side of the first tub, and operated from the motor of the first machine in a manner now to be described. Assuming that the user has operated the tub above first described, and finds a need for greater capacity, he can secure a second machine without the motor or wringer, with the two legs on the side adjacent the first machine omitted (or such two legs may be removed) and quickly secure the second machine to the first machine as described above. To effect operation of the second machine from the motor of the first machine, all that is necessary is to connect the free end of the coupling member connecting rod 13 of the second machine pivotally at 71, to connecting rod 13 of the first machine, which will result in the movement of connecting rod 13 being transmitted through connecting rod 13 to crank 14 of the second machine, and through a vertical shaft 15' similar to shaft 15 of the first machine, the rotary oscillatory motion of which will be transmitted to the dolly of the second machine, through mechanism similar to that already described above. With this arrangement, only a single motor (that of the first machine) is necessary,"and both tubs will be served by the wringer of the first machine.

If desired, additional bracing members 76 may be applied to the second machine. If desired, an additional brace member 72 may be secured at one end by a suitable bolt, or the like, 73, to the casing 74 of crank 12, and at its other end by a bolt, or the like, 75, to the bracket 16 of the second tub, thus giving additional stiflening means between the two tubs. It is also to be noted that when two machines are secured to operate together, the casters of the inside legs of the first ma chine may be omitted and the adjustable extension 3 may also either be omitted or adjusted either into or out of contact with the floor, as desired. Adjustment of extension 8 into firm contact with the floor, will furnish additional support for the central portions of the combined machines, if desired. While I have shown a conventional type of motor, it is to be understood that any suitable source of motive power may be used, without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Referring to Fig. 3, it is to be noted that fitting parts causing these two crank arms to rotate together, and at the same time p roviding a flexible connection between shafts 11 and 32, which permits ready removal of these parts from casing 7 1, as well as assembling of the respective parts.

It is also of importance to note (see Figs. 2 and 8) that the crank arms 14 and 14, from which the respective dollies of the two machines are driven, are so positioned rela tive to each other, and connecting rod 13 so arranged that when the dolly driven from the crank arm 14 is passing through its dead center, the dolly driven from crank arm 14' will be rotating at maximum speed.

Having now described my invention, 1 claim 1. A convertible unit Washing apparatus comprising a single unit washing machine, including a tub, supporting meanstherefor, a prime mover mounted on said supporting means, and an agitator in the tub, an aux iliary unit washing machine, including a tub, supporting means therefor and an agitator in the tub, means for detachably and rigidly connecting said units together to operate as a double machine when connected or to permit the operation of the single unit machine alone when detached, actuating connections from the prime mover of said single unit machine to the agitator thereof, and an inert, actuatable means connected to the agitator of said auxiliary machine, said inert means terminating in a coupling member, and means for permitting the detachable connect ion of said coupling member to the actuating connection of said single unit machine, whereby the agitators of said machines may be actuated simultaneously from said singleprime mover when said units are connected or whereby said single unit machine may be operated alone when said machines are disconnected.

2. A washing apparatus comprising a single unit washing machine including a support, a tub thereon, an oscillatable dolly on said tub, a prime mover, a' first crank operated thereby, a second crank operably con nected to said dolly, a connecting rod pivotally connected to said first and second cranks, an auxiliary washing machine comprising a support, a tub, a dolly thereon, a third crank operatively connected to the d01- 1y of-said auxiliary machine, a second connecting rod pivoted at one end'to said third crank and having a detachable connection for operative attachmentto said first connecting rod and means for detachably and rigidly connecting said single-unit and auxiliary Washing machines.

3. In a washing machine, a tub, a lid thereon, a rotary reciprocal dolly carried by said lid, and means for reciprocating said dolly, said lid being depressed for forming recesses for including said means.

47. In a washing machine, a tub having a depression in the top thereof, an oscillatable horizontal gear mounted in said depression,

and a cover hingedly mounted on said tub,

said cover having a depression therein within which is mounted gear to be driven by (silaid first mentioned gear for oscillating a 5. In a washing machine, a tub having a depressed portion at one side of its top, a

segmentalrack oscillatably mounted in said depression, a lid hingedly mounted on said tub and formed with a depression, a dolly shaft operating pinion in said depression,

a gear between said rack and said pinion, said rack, gear and pinion being positioned in a horizontal plane, and the pitch line tangent between said rack and said gear being approximately parallel to the hinge line of the lid, whereby elevation of the lid will disengage said rack and said gear, and lowering of the lid will cause inter-meshing of said rack and gear.

6. In a washing machine, a tub having a lid hinged thereon, a depression in said lid, a dolly shaft depending from said lid, gearing in said depression for operating said dolly, and a cover plate over said depression and gearing. v

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name to this specification.

HOWARD F. SNYDER. 

